Re: Portlandia

Originally Posted by beccaBeccaBECCA

Here's a question I have: Fred Armisen obviously has had this stuff stewing for a while. Is this kind of cultural commentary just not making it on air at SNL? (too niche? not broad enough for NBC's audience?) Or was he saving these gems for his side project? Lorne Michaels produces both so it's not some huge difference in sensibilities that's at work here. I just wonder what's behind the chasm.

Fred has done a lot of this kind of stuff on SNL (like the punk wedding band and the New York band from last week's episode). Even Nicholas Fehn started out as a good idea the first time he did it (I think he mentioned on CDR Radio that there's a little bit of Marc Maron in the character). It's just that SNL tends to run things into the ground through repetition, trying to get a catchphrase going, whereas with a cable show like this he can just do what he wants and not worry about whether it's going to appeal to everyone.

There are a few characters Fred has done on SNL though where I don't know what he was thinking, like "Riley" and that old lady stenographer who can't find her crackers. I can't begin to defend those.

Re: Portlandia

Originally Posted by BillBrasky

Fred has done a lot of this kind of stuff on SNL (like the punk wedding band and the New York band from last week's episode). Even Nicholas Fehn started out as a good idea the first time he did it (I think he mentioned on CDR Radio that there's a little bit of Marc Maron in the character). It's just that SNL tends to run things into the ground through repetition, trying to get a catchphrase going, whereas with a cable show like this he can just do what he wants and not worry about whether it's going to appeal to everyone.

There are a few characters Fred has done on SNL though where I don't know what he was thinking, like "Riley" and that old lady stenographer who can't find her crackers. I can't begin to defend those.

You're definitely right about the punk-band-dad-wedding sketch! It zeroed in on a specific subculture more than a lot of stuff I've seen on SNL recently. CONSIDER ME APPEASED!

Re: Portlandia

[YOUTUBE]P7VgNQbZdaw[/YOUTUBE]

The "Did You Read?" bit reminds me sooooo much of something Nichols and May would have done (Bach to Bach or this sketch with a socialite being interviewed by a radio DJ - can't find that last one ANYWHERE!). You can tell they love the Portland lifestyle, so it comes off a really smart, affectionate parody.

Re: Portlandia

Originally Posted by beccaBeccaBECCA

[YOUTUBE]P7VgNQbZdaw[/YOUTUBE]

The "Did You Read?" bit reminds me sooooo much of something Nichols and May would have done (Bach to Bach or this sketch with a socialite being interviewed by a radio DJ - can't find that last one ANYWHERE!). You can tell they love the Portland lifestyle, so it comes off a really smart, affectionate parody.

Re: Portlandia

That was soooo good! I'd love to see a pack of h******s get attacked by a Three Wolf Moon or an owl or a fox because duh they put that shit on everything. I also want my 11 year old self to get impaled by a Lisa Frank unicorn if only because the thought crossed my mind to start ironically liking Lisa Frank folders again.